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Build Your Own Jet Engine

Posted by michael on from the burning-down-the-house dept.

jgarland79 writes "Have you ever wanted your very own jet engine? Build one at home in your own garage. The guys over at www.garagejet.com have done just that. Their jet engine is made from an automotive turbo, spark plugs, and some scrap metal. I have made a mirror site here." We've had a couple of previous stories about a guy building pulsejet engines - the type of engine described above is a turbojet.

7 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Other homebuilt gas turbines by airbatica · · Score: 5, Informative

    These guys are amateurs compared to Mark Nye of Nye Thermodynamics. I realize the page is a little old, but homebuilt gas turbines aren't exactly high tech till you get up to the FADEC systems of commercial jetliners

    http://www.nyethermodynamics.com/

    Off topic: Ooo... lets slashdot the server to oblivion. It's got MOVIES!

  2. let's be safe out there by jamie · · Score: 5, Informative
    Kids, if you build your own jet engine, then unlike the nice fellow in the videos, please wear ear and eye protection.

    Especially if you plan on titling one of your videos "Ooops! Forgot to make sure the fittings were tight!"

    Jeez...

  3. 555 timer? by kd5ujz · · Score: 4, Informative

    These guys are charging $20 for the 555 chip. These things go for around $0.90 at radio shack. At first I thought it was the entire assembly, but then I saw the assembly for $50.

    --
    -William
    God is everything science has yet to explain.
  4. junkyard wars did this.... by dvd_tude · · Score: 3, Informative

    They used an automotive turbo, etc. It was the "jet car" episode.

    As I recall it didn't generate very much thrust.

    (didn't RTFA)

    1. Re:junkyard wars did this.... by NewtonsLaw · · Score: 4, Informative

      I was the pulsejet "expert" on the Jetcar episode of Scrapheap Challenge (aka Junkyard wars) and the turbocharger turbojet *did* produce a very healthy amount of thrust (probably about 65lbs).

      They didn't win because they had reliability problems and their vehicle was much heavier than our lightweight pulsjet-powered creation.

  5. Cute DIY, But Been Done: See Links by cmholm · · Score: 4, Informative
    First, full points to the builder for moving beyond the web research stage and getting his hands dirty. For those wanting to play with turbines, but want a design that's ready to slap onto a r/c model, some gents in the Netherlands implemented a cheap design using a smaller turbocharger and an empty Gaz propane camping stove cartridge back in '99. The original links to this design are harder to Google nowadays, now that the designers have gone commercial.

    You've seen the movie, now buy the book: Gas Turbine Engines for Model Aircraft by Kurt Schreckling

    What Kurt's design looks like when built per plans.

    Gas Turbine Builders Association

    Photos from the GTBA of various completed motors, note the small sizes.

    --
    Luke, help me take this mask off ... Just for once, let me butterfly kiss you with my own eyes.
  6. The pulsejet guy does turbo-turbines too by NewtonsLaw · · Score: 3, Informative

    The guy who built the cruise missile and those pulsejets (me) also built a turbo-turbine back in 2001 and documented it here

    Then I added the afterburner

    And if you want to see a really cool turbine-powered gokart check out Nick's website.

    More pulsejet/turbojet links and things here.

    Now we're all really keen to enter the chinese version of full metal challenge!